Ive had similar surgeries, disc replacement at three levels in my neck, muscle atrophy is a killer whilst there will be improvement over time, unless he's doing stem cells or some other miracle stuff, the muscles will never return to preinjury condition, Im 10 years post op next month and my right side is still down on the left. You can get by anywhere in life and most wouldn't know, but standing there in your thong dieted down and dehydrated, good luck.